Carter Vs Kissinger in 1980

[HisGrace]

Let's say the Constitution was amended at some point to allow the foreign born to run for president. Kissinger wins the Republican primary in 1980 by uniting the remnant of the party's liberal wing (Kissinger is moderate to liberal on most non foreign policy stuff, right?) and conservatives concerned about foreign affairs in the wake of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and Iranian Revolution.

The election would have been closer, Kissinger has always been a lightning rod, and being from another nation would have hurt him. But on the flipside it was going to be hard for Carter to win regardless, and Kissinger likely keeps most of Reagan's voters and picks up most of the people who ended up voting for Anderson, who probably doesn't run in this situation.

[Kingpoleon]

302: Henry Kissinger/Gerald Ford - 50.5%
236: Jimmy Carter/Mo Udall - 46.8%
Others - 2.7%

[President Johnson]

Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger (R-NY)/Senator Paul Laxalt (R-NV): 431 EV. (52.79%)
President James E. Carter (D-GA)/Vice President Walter Mondale (D-MN): 107 EV. (43.92%)